Sunday, 12 October 2014

Here at Duchess Kate Blog we're enjoying a relaxing Sunday at home, and glancing over Kate-related stories. We thought it prudent to share news which may be of interest to readers. In our last post, we discussed the possibility of William and Kate attending the upcoming state banquet in honour of the President of Singapore on his visit to the United Kingdom.

MEDIA-MODE.COM

The Palace confirmed there are plans for Kate to participate in the visit but not the banquet (I've made several enquiries about this and heard back today that as far as the press know there were never plans for the Cambridges to attend the banquet). Instead, the couple, who are second-in-line to the throne, will greet President Tony Tan Keng Yam and his wife Mary Chee Bee Kiang in London on 21 October.

'The second in line to the throne and his wife will be expected to greet the visiting couple at the Royal Garden Hotel in Kensington and then travel with them by car to Horse Guards Parade to make their first appearance at a ceremonial welcome for a visiting head of state.'

Kensington Palace said, "It would be fair to say this is the first time the Duchess has played a formal part in a state visit programme". However, the appearance depends entirely on how Kate is feeling on the day. Considering Kate had to cancel an engagement only days ago, the appearance is merely a possibility rather than a certainty. On the other hand, should Kate's condition improve, we may see her sooner than that.

Regarding the state banquet, I am very surprised there were no plans to include the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, as it was very much expected they would be included this year. Many feel it's time the couple played a larger role in events such as these, considering many other European royal families include a number of senior members in state visits. Perhaps the couple will play a more significant role next year?

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Kate displayed her cricket skills during the royal tour and they didn't go unnoticed. The Duke and Duchess have jumped a twenty-seven-year queue to join cricket's most prestigious club after being made honorary life members of Marylebone Cricket Club.

William played cricket during his time at Eton and Kate enjoys the sport, too. A spokesperson said:

'As everyone saw during the couple's tour of New Zealand earlier this year, when they joined in a cricket coaching session in Christchurch, the Duke enjoys playing cricket and the Duchess is quite handy with a bat too.'

The Queen is patron of the club and the Duke of Edinburgh and Prince of Wales are also among the other 300 honorary life members. The royal couple are expected to attend a match in the near future.

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Fascination with the British Royal family has spread to many parts of the world and no where more so than the United States. In 1974, PEOPLE Magazine released its inaugural issue, featuring actress Mia Farrow on the cover. Forty years later, the magazine has put out hundreds of appearances with numerous cover stars, but which of these have proved the most popular?

People

Members of the British Royal family have dominated the magazines list of cover stars. The iconic Princess Diana has graced the cover 55 times, Brad Pitt claims second place, while Prince William has featured 29 times and Kate 26. The royals beat Hollywood stars including Angelina Jolie, Julia Roberts, Tom Cruise and Jennifer Aniston. The result is very telling - in terms of popularity and sales results for the magazine.

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Next, we're taking a look at styles from a U.S. designer the Duchess debuted during the royal tour. Fashion fans were impressed to see Kate in the open-knit Paulina dress by Tory Burch for a play-date in New Zealand.

There are many pieces in the current collection which would work well for the Duchess. When Kate made the appearance in New Zealand, readers who wear the brand noted how comfortable the designer's styles are. Below we look at the $450 Mariana Dress.

The Connie embellished crepe A-line dress is very Kate. Shimmering embroidery and tube beads lend textural patterning to a long-sleeve crepe dress. I could see the Duchess wearing this in a longer version.

62 comments:

Good morning Charlotte.. I have not been here much as I am still recoverying from my car accident. I did go back this morning and were reading the post from your last blog post. Can you set the rumors straight if you know. There has been so much said about Kate moving in with her family and that William has been Awall from her & George's life. It is hard to believe but anything can happen. There are rumors that they had a big fight and she moved home. Another was he is off somewhere training and studying for is exams. And the one I find quite surpriseing is that they are separated. That I do not believe. I can not believe William would leave his family that as far as we all know love them very much. And to leave her while she is so sick and to leave George. It does not sound like him. But we all don't know him on a persaonal basis.So can you try and set the record straight. Also I noticed there has been alot of talk again about Kate and her work. I remember I think it was about a year or so back when it got realy heated that you told your readers that it was a dead subject. But agsain it reared its head again. Can you again call a truse to the subject. We don't know what all goes on when schduling their engagements. It is really getting old.

Also as I was reading the post I noticed someone is posting as Pauline (maybe there is some by that name) but again it is NOT me. I always post my name and where I am from. I just want to let the regulare posters that it is not me. I have not been on for a while do to the accident. I hope to be able to start visiting more in the coming weeks but time will only tell.

Thanks again for this great place where we all can come and hear about Kate. I do hope she is feeling better and that she and the baby are not in any trouble.

Pauline, I'm sorry about your car accident. I'm also sorry--and surprised--that you chose to repeat such unsavory rumors. I'm confused, for you have always seemed so protective of Kate. The speculations that you revealed to some of us (I had not heard any rumors!--and I don't believe them!) would be much more hurtful to Kate, I'm sure, than the comments some of us Kate fans sometimes make when we dislike a particular outfit or hairdo.

Lynn All I was doing was asking Charlotte to address the rumors that were post on thos blog. Since the accident I have not been on so all this is new to me. Maybe you read my post and thought I was starting something. No just trying to find out answers from someone who might know more then ones who are posting here.

royalfan You know how I post my name always with my city so I can not help if someone writes like me. Since my accident I can't do much. And sitting at a computer is one thing that makes me hurt the most. So sorry to disappoint you, it is not me writing here except the post above. And this one.

Pauline- Thanks for clarifying because I keep thinking you are posting more again. Hope you feel better soon!

Simone~ You know the Enquirer is almost as reliable as Star but both make excellent cat box paper and kindling. :) Also, I meant to write and tell you I was at a restaurant and they had Scotch Eggs- I thought of our lovely blog discussions and tried them with extremely reluctant DH. We loved them. He even tried puppy dog eyes for the last piece and he's 45. Thank you and everyone else for the encouragement to try them!

I am very sorry that you still have to suffer from your accident but at the same time I am very happy that you are back on this blog and take part in the lively discussions. You are very emotional (I mean this in a positive way) and I like how much you defend “the Duchess”.

Regarding Kate’s work ethics I must admit that there were times when I also felt quite disappointed in Kate, but I have changed my mind completely. I do not know Kate personally (what a pity!) but judging from what I see I have the strong feeling that it is not Kate’s own decision. She is so eager not to make a mistake that she will follow whatever she is told either by the Queen or by her father-in-law. And I can understand the senior Royals, because William is “only” second in line and Charles and Camilla (who I like very much) are the ones to take over when the time has come. So I do not blame anyone – and no one is less to blame than Kate.

Your judgment on William is rather harsh, which I do not fully understand. I was totally sure that he is with his wife and his son in Bucklebury. We have known for years how much he likes (or rather loves) the Middleton family, so why should he not take some time off and enjoy it together with his wife’s family? But that is just what I assume, I cannot prove it. Never in a thousand years would I believe rumours that William has left Kate. First of all the two of them seem to be deeply in love with each other, secondly I guess that William is clever enough to enjoy the family life that he has built up with Kate. Even after these few years of relationship and marriage they have achieved a lot and I have the strong feeling that William knows that and is proud of his life. At least this is the feeling I get whenever I see him. He is so self-assured and seems to have got so much personal strength that only people have who are very happy.

Perhaps the Duke and Duchess were not included in the banquet in deference to Kate's condition? Sitting still, unable to trot off to the loo without causing disruption, is hard enough when you're pregnant, and then to be surrounded by food smells and people eating when you're been nauseous for months can't be pleasant.

I think the Rayna dress is maybe a little young for Kate, and the Deborah is definitely too short. As for the Gemma wool dress, the last thing our Kate needs is something to make her appear thinner than she is. But there's a lot to like there. I really hope she gets some new casual clothes, but please not another horizontal blue stripe!

I hope Kate is well enough to attend, and I am bummed they are not invited to the formal event.

Does anyone else think there is something odd with the model's legs for the Connie dress? Either she is quite bowlegged or the photoshopper went crazy trying to make a gap--either way I am very confused.

I'm bummed that they were never to be included, too. I hate to be cynical, but I do suspect that the first-in-line (et.al.) did not want to be eclipsed. For Will & Kate not to be included at all in the state visit events would be a real faux pas, since they were treated so royally in Singapore such a short while ago. However, the plan seems to be to go ahead and get Kate & Will out of the way with a greeting ceremony--and then clear the decks. I just hope Kate feels well enough even for a short greeting.

Lynn, I am so happy to see someone else use the word "eclipse". I honestly believe that is at the heart of so many of the "issues" here. And it *is* very much a faux pas given W&K's visit to Singapore, and I wonder how their absence will be perceived... I totally understand if Kate wouldn't be able to attend, but they should have been included, and it would still be appropriate for William to attend.

Kate, yes, I did notice the legs. And I would love to see Kate in the print dress with the solid black shoulders and side panels. It would be a trendy, yet overall safe look.

I do not believe that more senior royals are clipping the wings of Will and Kate, resulting in them not doing their job as they do not want to be eclipsed. If this were so, William and Kate would not do large-scale overseas tours and the like. I simply do not believe this excuse for their lack of work.

I think it is great they are being included in this event in some way, it is a stepping stone. Of course they won't be invited to the banquet - they do not do the full time hours of a senior royal. This is why they are still, at this stage, in "stepping stone" phases, as per their personal choices.

I believe that Kate and William make a lot of their own choices and are responsible for their progression into royal duties and have chosen their pace. I believe this based on statements from royal reporters in the last 3.5 years. I do not believe anyone is holding them back - in my opinion, that is a weak excuse.

Anyways, I hope she is doing well, HG is just horrible. And hope that Wills studying and exams are going smoothly - I am in my last semester of nursing school and studying for massive finals myself!! So hard to study in this lovely autumn season!

I've noticed that on a lot of the look book shots Charlotte uses. Bow legs and horrible shoes. Remember those huge shoes not too long ago? The ones that made the models' feet look like pontoons? Didn't exactly make me want to go out and duplicate the look.

Yes, bluhare...I remember the shoes! And the hair that looked like the models put their fingers into a light socket. I don't get it; you'd think that an *overall* attractive look would make the clothes look better. Am I too old...or logical? LOL.

Nice post Charlotte! I sure hope Catherine is on the mend. I've been so worried for her well being......HG is a miserable illness.

As far as the Tory Burch collection......love the cut and style of the dresses, but hate the prints. They look cheap.

On another note, I've been seeing so many girls at UCLA that are wearing Kate inspired fashions. Mostly like the lace dresses from NZ tour and black lace Temperly (?) dress from awhile back. Also tons of French navy shirts/skinny jeans with.....yes!.....wedgies. At an orientation event someone left their size 9 nude L.K. Bennetts in the ballroom. I like that Catherine is influencing a new generation of women.....its a good trend.

Charles, for all his good qualities and remarkable achievements is not popular. His present wife even less. Since he was regularly upstaged by his first wife, I'm sure he and the good people doing his PR do not wish for him to be upstaged by William, Catherine and George during this state visit or at any other time.

Charles--if he outlives his mother--will ascend the throne in the final years of his life. We live in an age that holds youth and beauty as desirable and old people as useless. Many feel that old people ought to simply shuffle off and give the younger ones their turn. This is not helped by continental monarchs abdicating in favour of their heirs.

Although, as Charlotte points out, "Many feel it's time the couple played a larger role in events such as these, considering many other European royal families include a number of senior members in state visits," the Palace marches to tradition which is often one beat behind the drum. They're not feeling the people's pulse in this case, either.

I suspect they have other concerns.I'd hazard that the Palace is quite conscious of the fact that the press could turn the Cambridges' presence into more ink for Catherine's gown and tiara than the purpose of the visit. I suspect their way of micromanaging their role has that firmly in mind.

The European monarchs don't have a situation such as the British do: an extremely old monarch with a "crown prince" who is old enough to have an adult son and wife. Crown Prince Frederik is only a few years older than William but he IS a Crown Prince. It was appropriate that his life and wife have been closely scrutinized for the past several years because when Margarethe dies or abdicates, he WILL be King, just as Willem in Holland and Felipe in Spain became the past couple of years. So, yes, in terms of age, William "ought" to be Crown Prince and therefore participating in the Royal Family like a Crown Prince, but he is NOT the Crown Prince and so has to take a back seat to his father. Which suits William and Catherine just fine. Personally I think it is wonderful that they are not caught up in the celebrity culture and are sensitive to the fact that the monarchy in England is more than just glitz and glamor.

Philly, great comments! Completely agree! Prince Charles, the longest serving heir apparent....a lifetime of waiting. As I said in my comments below, what is to become of Camilla when Charles ascends the throne? It will be interesting to see the family dynamics at that point. William and Catherine will have to be included in banquets at that point. Thinking the limelight will still be stolen, so they might as well include them now.

Making William and Catherine look very royal would simply intensify the calls for Charles to be skipped as monarch. Not that changing the succession would work in terms of the constitution, but there is reason to make the Cambridges look more like the other dukes and duchesses.

No, Anonymous, I don't think making William and Kate look royal would intensify calls for Charles to be skipped. And, even if it did, I don't necessarily see that as a horrible thing in total. In my opinion, the Cambridges not working in a royal capacity weakens the BRF and does not strengthen it. If the Queen is the only glue holding the entire construct together, the BRF will not survive as the ruling royal family. If William cares whether there's a place for George as King, he should be doing some serious thinking about now in my opinion.

Looking more like the other dukes and duchesses can include doing a lot of work, but not appearing very often at glittering events. There is some of that, of course, and each couple seems to have certain formal assignments - the Wessexes represent the Queen at Continental royal weddings, the Gloucesters attend the Lord Mayor's banquets for visiting royalty, etc.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry have appeared as part of the immediate succession in certain photos, such as the balcony Jubilee appearance, or Prince George's baptism pictures. They are not taking the limelight by turning up in white tie and tiara at state dinners. The diplomatic reception was an exception, and it was no doubt part of their training, but photographs were supposedly forbidden, and only a few appeared.

I am saying that very little of the glitter of royalty is being thrown over the Cambridges. They attend some receptions. They go to the occasional opening or charity event in black tie and gown, and get a lot of press, but they are not the central prince and princess. Charles and Camilla are. Think how each of them looked, Charles in Glasgow and Camilla in London, for the WWI services. Or notice their place in formal state banquet processions. Camilla routinely wears jewels from the Queen Mother's years as queen consort and dowager. Kate has twice worn the tiaras from her years as Duchess of York.

The Queen evidently believes in useful work, but also in allowing for family building in the earlier years of royal marriages. Charles took time off, and her other children have had time with their small children. Alternating babies with foreign tours is one way to make those years work well, and it appears to be the pattern William and Catherine are following. It is really too bad that HG has disrupted Kate's life, but this too will pass and she will be able to find her balance, for now as mother and royal duchess.

When they are Prince and Princess of Wales, things will inevitably change for William and Catherine. They will of course be overshadowed by Charles as king, and his consort. But they will have a new role to play, without the support and care of the Queen. Since Charles will be elderly, William will be preparing for his own reign, and George will be growing into his future. It will still be necessary for the then Waleses to avoid taking the central limelight. The constitutional monarch will be Charles. But as they mature, William and Catherine will find their serious roles.

nice blog Charlotte again feel sorry for you pauline im hoping that you have fast recovery you know you been a special to me despite of everything happen to us in the past im hope its ok for me too care i hope the duchess is okay too to carry engagement we the public misses her if depend s what she feels right Charlotte

Who knows? We are all so far away. they are a large complicated family all with their own ideas. We complete outsiders really have no idea. Xharles might love to have his son do way more, Harry may want to do less or more, Princess Anne may be doing just what she wants or struggling between what she thinks her Mum wants and what she wants. her daughter same thing, etc etc there are layers and layers and while those on this blog may have their views of what being a "royal" means, it may be a complicated emotional issue for those very royals. Ali

Charlotte Just an odd question but does Kate actually lack a tooth as seen in your photo of her? The third photo you posted? It is so odd, I just initially assumed it was a photo shop issue, but maybe she does have a missing tooth or very short tooth?I have not looked at tons of photos so if your or someone else has a clue, Thank you. Ali

Going to a banquet for her first outing would not be a good idea--the smell of food and everything else might have made her sick again. However that does not mean that I don't think she should have been asked before. HM seems to prefer to invite the older members of the family, who of course have given great service, but do not fill the press with great interest and therefore these occasions are hardly reported at all. I must assume that is the idea---but I doubt it is William and Catherine's fault.Hope she is fit enough for the welcome, but time will tell.

I don't see reason for speculation about William. We know he was expected to be doing his helicopter training and that's no doubt what he is doing while Kate stays closer to her medical team and may be cared for by her mother.

Wives with husbands in the rescue services often have to do without them (as Kate has before) and may find them tired, stressed and cranky at the end of the day when they are home. This is the life William and Kate have chosen.

I'm no fan of Charles but I'm not convinced by the "eclipsed" business as Charles seemed last year to be trying to get William more involved with duties and more passionate about something (conservation.) William's flitting around seems likely to come from his own uncertainty (at thirty-two) of what he's doing with his life.

William and Kate are going to massively behind their European counterparts, who are as little and five and ten years older than they are. Look at the committment to work of Victoria, only five years older than William. (Even as she and Daniel seem to be wonderfully loving parents.) It doesn't matter that there is another heir in between. William is likely to rule at the same time as these other monarchs who will be much more advanced in their careers than he is and vastly more experienced. I fear William will always be a pleasant, popular but not terribly influential player on the world's stage. The absence of any British royal presence other than a statement from Charles at this recent New York conference on the enviroment is a case in point.

As for abdication, it is tradition in the Netherlands but in Belgium and the Spain, there were real scandalous problems that led to the decisions. Felipe and Phillipe are working like mad to rebuild the reputation of the monarchy in their countries.

But there is no question, monarchies are always served well by having youthful representatives and there is a void right now in Britain. The interest in the young royals is there but not a lot of serious news that gives William gravitas - it looks like it's mostly going to be light weight gossip much of the time. Harry is doing some great work and hopefully will continue to do so but monarchy is best represented by all ages -- I don't find a lot of young people (or many older ones) with a lot of interest in Charles and Camilla both of whom, especially Camilla, actually look and act older than they are. The queen sometimes seems younger than Camilla.

I have to admit I like the balance of the Danish royal family. I doubt Margarthe will abdicate or see any reason why she should but both her heir and spare are always at royal events. The tight unity and complete involvement in royal duties that family displays (in spite of problems in the past from divorce to a discontented father) is what I would love to see in Britain.

As for all the attention on William and Kate, they are in their thirties now. By another decade, that youthful attraction will be gone. Many royals who were once popular find the attention isn't there as they age. Building on what you have when you are young is important - and nothing should be taken as a certainty.

As for Anne, I think she is driven by a strong sense of duty and is very much her own woman - doing what she thinks she should be doing, not what anyone else does.

I agree with you, Anon from Leominster. And, I think that it's a shame that William cannot carve some useful (humanitarian) work for himself in the way that Harry has done. There is SO much that could be done; work with the lonely/dispossessed/poor/disabled/mentally ill/socially deprived/long-term unemployed/depressed/aged etc.etc. etc.

Of course it matters that "there is another heir in between." Charles is almost 66 and he's still "waiting" to be king. Victoria's father is 68 and has been king for 41 years. I'd say that's a significant fact to disregard.

When it's time for William to crowned with Kate at his side, regardless of age, they will be seen as a breath of fresh air compared to the rather Edwardian C&C, who come with baggage.

I also thought that joining the air ambulance service as a pilot was carving out a useful role .... William will continue to fulfil the other royal duties required of him but as far as creating a version of a modern monarchy of his own making I am puzzled as to how he could do that considering his current position within the family - heir to an heir .....so he has found his own way to be "useful"Simone

'I fear William will always be a pleasant, popular but not terribly influential player on the world's stage' (Anon from Leominster). Yes, I wonder how it will all pan out.....I don't think he will start any great initiatives such as 'The Duke of Edinburgh's award scheme' or 'The Prince's Trust', but I don't want to sound negative and hope I'm proved wrong.

I agree with you Leo. Excellent point about lifespans as well; one that's easily dismissed due to the longevity of the present monarch! It's not beyond the realm of possibility that the Queen could survive Charles the way she's going. And if that were to happen I suspect William would find himself quite unprepared for the task at hand.

News today....Catherine became patron of The 1851 Trust. I know she enjoys sailing and think she will do well as patron. I know the Brits would love to bring the trophy back home!

I am disappointed that William and Kate were not included in the banquet, but perhaps it is due to Kate's illness. I don't know protocol, but perhaps they could have had the invitation extended and declined if needed. I feel part of the reason is as Lynn and Royalfan mentioned above is that Charles and Camilla do not be eclipsed by William and Kate. At some point The Queen and Prince Phillip will be gone and it will be Charles and Camilla. He will be King, but what will she "be"? What will be wanted, accepted, etc in regards to her? Not sure, but I definitely think this time is being used to "beef up" both her and Charles' image, but especially hers. Just my thought. Glad to know William and Kate will have some role in the President's visit with welcoming them. The Royal Garden Hotel is right outside the gates of KP, so it will be close to home. That will be good for Kate's sake. Praying she is well enough to attend. Looking forward to you bringing us a great post that day Charlotte! :)

I loved seeing the People magazine covers! It's fascinating to me that in just 17 short years (1980-97), she graced the cover that many times. I know a few have come since her death, but I wonder how many more would there be if she was still with us. Kate's well on her way to ranking with her mother in law with 26 covers in the short time she's been around. BRF are fascinating and intriguing to many!

I liked the Tory Burch dress Kate donned in NZ because it looked like something any mom would throw on for a day out. Very down to earth. I like what is pictured above and can see Kate in a few of them. I really liked the Connie embellished dress. SO pretty!

Are you serious, Leominster? By another decade, that youthful attraction will be gone? People don't go so quickly to seed now-a-days. Some women look better in their 40s and 50s than they did in their 30s. Check out these actresses in their 50s. http://www.wbaltv.com/entertainment/fabulous-actresses-over-50/4759866 And men always have an easier go of it than women--they get more 'distinguished' looking while women have to take so much more care to look great. If you'd said three decades, that's another story. But in 10 years the Cambridges will likely continue to look as fabulous as they do now.

I'm all for older is better, Philly, not being young myself, but we do need to face facts.

When was the last time you heard Prince Andrew called a hunk? Or heard how sexy Prince Albert of Monaco is? Not recently. But when I was young, we all heard that. (Andrew was quite the rage.) Even Charles had his moment in the sun. And Princess Margaret was once thought to be extrodinarily beautiful. Didn't last foever.

Yes, it's harder on women as a whole but it can cut both ways. Margrethe of Denmark has aged much better than her husband who was once rather handsome but today is better known for his eccentricity.

Having said that most of the royals that are a decade older than William and Kate look pretty darn good and William and Kate look to have excellent aging genes. Carole and Michael are youthful looking, Charles has aged reasonably well (although I don't hear him spoken of as hot any more) and Diana looked like she would have been quite a glamourous forty year old - sadly never reached.

But young people do see the European fortyish royals as mature. They will probably look quite good to us for a long time (at least to me, don't know how old you are, Philly.) But to the younger generation (and note even Charlotte, our fearless leader is a decade younger than William, they will seem older. It's not clear who will fill the youthful void until George is old enough but a wife of Harry is one possiblity. (Cressida for instance is eight years younger than Kate and her street style is more in tune with the young.)

I'm all for glamourous older men (and women.) Cary Grant was something until the day he died but not everyone is so fortunate. And there is a certain Peter Pan quality to William and Kate, partly because she is so much a Mummy's girl and William grew up under our eyes (at least under mine. Not speaking for all here.) To me, he will probably always seem young but a friend a dozen years his junior notices things like the receding hairline.

So I still say, don't squander youthful appeal. Brad Pitt isn't so often on the cover of magazines these days. Royalty has a bit more endurance but who knows who will fill the youthful void.

I think if they keep the "pomp and circumstance" so as to speak they will continue to be popular. I think keeping some of the old traditions along with patronages and public accessibility will keep the interest in the Monarchy. I think George and the new baby will fill the "youthful void" as well as Harry, his wife (hopefully) and children.

Hey Leominster! I understand your points; however, I'm of the mind that you can't compare 40/50 year-olds to 60+ year olds who look 70+ years old like Charles & Andrew--neither of whom aged well. Except for the skin spots they're not looking that much better than their da.

And no, I'm not telling exactly how old I am. Let "old enough to know better but young enough to do it again" suffice. Te-he!

To me, you indeed write a lot of sense, Anon from Leominster! Always a pleasure to read your comments. (was sad to see some time ago that you were pretty upset and thinking of not posting anymore, thankfully that's all healed over now) I haven't visited this site recently as I knew that Kate hadn't been 'out & about' in public. I agree with you, Anon Leo, about the ageing process, a friend of mine commented some time ago that William had 'lost his looks' somewhat (with age). I wish it was easier for us in the UK to see the private 'snaps' of Kate out and about, that Kate fans in other countries can easily view online & in magazines! (obviously, I realise that there is a level of intrusiveness, which Charlotte et al has already discussed on this blog) I also agree with you, Anon from Leo, that William and Kate should have a more 'public' role, although accept that she is unwell at the moment. Best wishes to all!

I thought the Tory Burch dress Kate wore for the play date was perfect. I liked the knit design and the short fringe. Some of these dresses would also be very nice for her, especially the Mariana, the Lori, and the Deborah. The Deborah is nice because it is more different from dresses she already owns. I also like the Connie very much if Kate needs something a bit more covered up for a service, say, or hatted event. All of the dresses of course would need to be longer, probably in prettier colors, and paired with appropriate pumps.

By the way, paging through the humungous September US Vogue, I saw some truly astonishing shoes. Some looked more like buildings than shoes! I'm not sure Dior's heels are walkable:

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